The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating an accident in which a pedestrian was struck and killed by vehicles on Kirkwood Highway Friday evening.

Staff Report

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating an accident in which a pedestrian was struck and killed by vehicles on Kirkwood Highway Friday evening.

Police said the accident happened at about 6 p.m., as Nigel C. Simon Jr., 18, of Newark, was attempting to cross the eastbound lanes of Kirkwood Highway in a northerly direction.

He was struck by an eastbound 2006 Toyota Sienna, driven by Natalie Nelson, 45, of Hockessin. After the initial impact, Simon was thrown into the westbound lanes of Kirkwood Highway where he was struck by a 2011 Ford F-250 driven by Kurt Schoell, 48, of Wilmington.

Nelson along with a 14-year-old female passenger in the Toyota were properly restrained and weren't injured.

Schoell was properly restrained and wasn't injured.

After the preliminary investigation, police said that Simon attempted to cross Kirkwood Highway about 250 feet west of the Duncan Road intersection, not within a designated crosswalk.

For about 2.5 hours after the accident, Kirkwood Highway westbound was completely closed, while only one eastbound lane was open during the investigation.

The Delaware State Police remind pedestrians to use caution and safety when walking on or near roadways. If you must cross a roadway, use appropriate cross walks and make sure to look left, then right, then left again before proceeding. When walking near a roadway always make yourself visible to drivers by wearing bright/light colored clothing and reflective materials. Pedestrians that are walking at night must carry a flashlight for added safety, police said.

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